Should a Christian participate in Halloween? | The Recap Podcast with Pastor CJ Johnson

Ever feel like you're just going through the motions? It's time to stop coasting and really figure out what you stand for. Let's get real about mixing faith with everyday life, from the stuff that trips us up to the traditions we're not even sure about.

Chapters

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:17 The 7 Churches of Revelation
00:07:23 The Wild Story of Philip's Martyrdom
00:10:10 Proof the Apostles Weren't Faking It
00:13:29 Two Big Dangers Facing the Church Today
00:21:22 Surviving a 38-Week Sermon Series
00:26:31 NV Athletics
00:43:35 Should Christians Do Halloween?
00:48:44 The Surprising Origin of Halloween
00:53:30 Why You Shouldn't Just Boycott Culture
00:58:25 Why We're Rebranding the Church
01:03:52 How to Handle Change
01:11:21 Honoring our Legacy


KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Take ownership of your faith by learning why you believe what you believe.

• Find the courage to represent your faith even in the darkest, most uncomfortable places.

• Embrace healthy conflict and accountability to protect your community's unity.

• Use "disputable" cultural moments like Halloween as a bridge to connect with your neighbors.

• Intentionally invest in the next generation, because they are the future of the church.


On this episode of The Recap Podcast, we're jumping into the Halloween debate. It’s a holiday that gets a lot of side-eye in Christian circles, but what’s the real story? We look at the actual origins of Halloween—which might surprise you—and talk through how to handle these "disputable matters" without judgment. Instead of just hiding or boycotting culture, what if we saw it as a prime chance to actually meet our neighbors and build real relationships?

We also get into the intense lessons learned from visiting the seven churches in Revelation. Seeing the spot where Philip was martyred or where the apostles proved their faith wasn't fake hits different. It brings home the challenge to avoid compromising on truth and to guard against the internal conflicts that can tear a community apart.

Plus, we’re pulling back the curtain on why we’re making some big moves, like launching a sports ministry and a college, and even getting real about the new church rebrand. Change in a big church is complicated and can feel like a loss for some, so we talk straight about how to navigate that growth while still honoring the legacy of those who got us here. This is a packed conversation about staying faithful, being bold, and living with intention right where you are.